Two independent UN experts pointed out that measures that interfere “with the territorial domain of a State, including its airspace, risk completely disrupting the stability of the region and are seriously harming Venezuela’s economy.”
Two independent UN experts condemned the US president’s “increasing pressure” on Venezuela and the “extrajudicial killings” in the Caribbean.
“The long history of external interventions in Latin America should not be repeated,” they said in a statement George Katrougalos, independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order and Ben Saul, special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism.
In a message released on November 29, President Donald Trump asked “airlines, pilots, drug traffickers and human traffickers” to avoid Venezuelan airspace.
“Any measure that seeks to regulate, restrict or ‘close’ the airspace of another State constitutes a flagrant violation of the Chicago Convention,” the experts noted, referring to Article 1 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (1944). Despite the president’s statement, they reiterated, the United States does not have legal authority to “close” the airspace of another State.
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In addition, they noted that measures that interfere “with the territorial domain of a State, including its airspace, risk completely disrupting the stability of the region and are seriously harming Venezuela’s economy.”
They also recalled that the UN Charter prohibits “the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State.”
“The US military attacks on suspected drug traffickers at sea, which have killed more than 80 civilians in 21 attacks, are serious violations of the right to life and international law of the sea,” they added. “Those responsible for ordering and carrying out these extrajudicial killings must be investigated and prosecuted for homicide.”
The experts urged the United States to refrain from actions that could further aggravate the situation and to ensure that any measures taken fully comply with the UN Charter, the Chicago Convention and relevant norms of international law.
*Journalism in Venezuela is carried out in a hostile environment for the press with dozens of legal instruments in place to punish the word, especially the laws “against hate”, “against fascism” and “against the blockade.” This content was written taking into consideration the threats and limits that, consequently, have been imposed on the dissemination of information from within the country.
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